How to Crochet a Stocking Cap

By Lindsay Obermeyer ; Updated September 15, 2017

Stocking caps are a great weekend or vacation project. They are small, portable and easy to stash in one's bag. They don't take long to make. Get a head start on baby shower and holiday gift making. They are warm, and can be customized by changing the colors and the width of the stripes, so no two ever need be exactly the same. Make it with a white brim with a red body, and you have a Santa hat! Make it all red; you have a gnome hat and a fun prop for a baby picture!

Things Needed

200 yards total of worsted weight yarn for a 6-12 month old hat. Directions are written with two colors for stripes. You will need 100 yards of each color, Color A and Color B, and 350 yards total for an adult female hat.

Size H hook

Four locking or split ring stitch markers

Scissors Tapestry Needle

Tapestry Needle

pompom maker

Tape measure.

The terms used in this pattern include ch (Chain), Sl st (slip stitch), dc (double crochet) and gauge swatch. Always do a gauge swatch before beginning your project to obtain an accurate fit. Create a 4-inch by 4-inch swatch in double crochet. You should measure four stitches to the inch and three rows to the inch.

Directions are for a 6-12 month baby and a 21-inch adult size, which are in the parentheses.

Round 1

Ch-64 (84) in color A. Join with a Sl st to the first chain to form a ring. Be careful to not twist the stitches. Chain-3 and double crochet in the next chain. Double crochet into each chain around the ring. When you return to the end of the round Sl st to the top of the chain-3: 64 (84) total stitches.

Tip

Adding a stitch marker at the end of a round will allow you see the beginning and end of a round easily. You can also use a scrap piece of yarn of a different color to mark the end of each round.

Rounds 2-5

Ch-3 Dc 1 into each dc. When you return to the end of the round Sl st to the top of the chain-3: 64 (84) total stitches.

Rounds 6-8

Switch to Color B. Chain 3. Dc 1 into each dc. When you return to the end of the round Sl st to the top of the Ch3: 64 (84) total stitches.

For an adult hat switch back to color A and repeat Rounds 6-8 for Rounds 9-11 before beginning decreases for a total of 5-inches before decreasing. Start decreases, following directions from Round 9 onward.

Round 9 (12)

Add a stitch marker every 16 stitches. Switch to color A (B). Chain-3. Work 1 dc into every dc until stitch marker. Begin decreases. Work a decrease in double crochet before each stitch marker: 60 (80) total stitches. When you return to the end of the round, Sl st to the top of the chain-3.

Rounds 10-11 (13-14)

Chain 3. Work 1 dc into every dc; when you return to the end of the round Sl st to the top of the chain-3.

Rounds 12-14 (15-17)

Switch to Color B. Ch-3. Work 1 dc into every dc until stitch marker. Work a decrease in double crochet before each stitch marker: 56 (76) total stitches.

When you return to the end of the round Sl st to the top of the chain-3. Repeat Rounds 10-11(13-14).

Round 15 (18)

Switch to color A. Ch-3. Work 1 dc into every dc until stitch marker. Begin decreases. Work a decrease in double crochet before each stitch marker: 52 (72) total stitches.

When you return to the end of the round, Sl st to the top of the chain-3. Repeat Rounds 10-11 (13-14).

Continue decreasing every third row until the 30th round 34 (54) stitches total. At this point you should be on Color B. Work the rest of the cap in B for 12 rounds. Work a decrease and 1 dc for each round for 6 rounds. Then decrease two together until only 1 stitch remains. Cut tail and pull tail though. Sew in all ends.

Final Touches

Make a pompom following the directions of your pompom maker and knot it to the tip of the stocking cap.

References

About the Author

Lindsay Obermeyer has been sharing her passion for the textile arts since 1988. Her writing has appeared in “Reinventing Textiles,” “Fiberarts,” “Knit.1” and “Craft ‘n Things,” while her art has been featured in museum and gallery exhibitions worldwide. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in textiles.